The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-04-21
New Orleans Times Democrat.
The Interstate COmmerce Rfll.
April %, 1887.


The Interstate Commerce Bill.
From all portions OF the country we hear
complaints about the Inter state Commerce bill
and the railroad commission. The New York
press has denounced with unusual unanimity
the commissions late ruling suspendng on Ger.
tain Southern roads the operations of the long
and short haul clause. The Pacific coast bowls
loudly against the long haul clause threatening
dire disaster to that section, and from all por-
tions Of the country come complaints and growls
that rates have been raised and prices increased,
thanks to this bill. Judging from the express
sons of the press one would say that the coun-
try which 50 recently was calling for q law like
this regulating the railroads, is already repent
ant and anxious to get rid Of it.
We are inclined to think that some of the
press and the public are little premature in
their complaints against the bill and the COM
mission. The country has been for years de-
manding this legislation, and it was natural
under the circumstances that it should expect
too much from it, and look to see it immediate
ly reforming all the abuses that have grown up
in our railroad system.
state commerce law went into operation-ten
days, during which the commission has had no
time to make an investigation of the problems
before it, aud has been unable as yet to render
definite and decisive opinion on any important
point. Again, Is 1t not natural 10 imagine that
that the railroads in some portions of the ooun.
try, dissatisfied with this curb on their power.
nnlv TIM al IN he ha l.
and offensive as possible Several important
lines have indeed frankly confessed that they
proposed to carry out the law to the srictest con-
struction and make it a burden to the public
which forced II on them.
For the press and public to suddenly change
their opinions because during the first few days
of the law 1t has not in all respects, operated
successfully, is neither wise nor just. The bill
was before the country for years. Laws simi-
larry framed have been in operation in most of
the States and give complete success. It is not
10 be imagined that law confessedly copied az
ter the State railroad legislation will prove q
failure, and that what Is good for the States
separately is not equally good for them together
1t will, IS We expected, take some days TO get
the law In complete and successful operation.
The public can hasten that time and benefit
themselves by pointing out wherein the act, as
interpreted by the railroads, Is oppressive unjust
or burdensome. 1t has never been claimed tina.
1t was perfection, nor has 1t been imagined that
the railroads would 90 apply II AZ to make II pop
ular. but the way 10 remedy its defects is to
point them out instead Of dealing, as 30 many
papers do, In wild denunciations of the bill and
the commission, declaring them both failures
and calling for the repeal of the law. Wait, at
least, until 1t IL In working order. and give H.
fair trial before condemning 1t. Even II some
OF itsprovisous are defective Congress can easily
correct this without surrendering the great prin-
ciple 1t has insisted on 10 this measure-the con-
troll of the railroads